EPU's ex-director stripped of titles Johor Ruler revokes two awards

JOHOR BARU: Former state Economic Planning Unit director Hamsan Saringat has been stripped of his two titles by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Hamsan, who is currently the Yayasan Pelajaran Johor (YPJ) Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, had his Datuk Paduka Mahkota Johor and Pingat Ibrahim Sultan II withdrawn by the Sultan.

Johor Council of Royal Court secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said the two awards were conferred on Hamsan by former ruler Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail in 2005.

He said Sultan Ibrahim issued a decree on Nov 7 revoking and cancelling the two awards immediately and he could no longer use the “Datuk” title.

“Hamsan returned the medals to the palace on Thursday,” he said at a press conference held at Istana Besar here yesterday.

Abdul Rahim pointed out that revoking the titles is the prerogative of the Sultan and his right to do so is clearly stated under Article 7 (2)(f) of the Johor State Constitution 1895 and Article 12 of the Statutes and Ordinances of the Most Honourable Order.

He, however, declined to comment on the reasons why Sultan Ibrahim decided to strip Hamsan of the two titles.

He reminded those who were conferred titles by the Johor Sultan to follow certain rules and codes of conduct.

“They must always maintain their integrity as being awarded Datukship by the Sultan comes with a heavy responsibility. Muslim recipients must also take the oath before the Johor Mufti and must never go against the said oath,” he said.